This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-12025538

The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 17 Version 18
Heavy snow and ice bring travel chaos across UK Heavy snow and ice bring travel chaos across UK
(40 minutes later)
Christmas travellers are facing severe disruption as heavy snow falls across many parts of the UK.Christmas travellers are facing severe disruption as heavy snow falls across many parts of the UK.
Heathrow and Gatwick airports closed all runways. Gatwick has re-opened but many flights remain cancelled.Heathrow and Gatwick airports closed all runways. Gatwick has re-opened but many flights remain cancelled.
Roads, railways and airports are affected across Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England, amid severe weather warnings for many areas.Roads, railways and airports are affected across Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England, amid severe weather warnings for many areas.
Airports in Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands are also suffering cancellations and delays.Airports in Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands are also suffering cancellations and delays.
The snow is forecast to continue in many parts of the UK, with up to 25cm expected in some areas of England, and a number of severe weather warnings are in place.The snow is forecast to continue in many parts of the UK, with up to 25cm expected in some areas of England, and a number of severe weather warnings are in place.
Heathrow Airport advised passengers to check with airlines before travelling to the airport. Some passengers have been stranded on planes that have landed at the airport but been unable to get to the terminal.Heathrow Airport advised passengers to check with airlines before travelling to the airport. Some passengers have been stranded on planes that have landed at the airport but been unable to get to the terminal.
Airport operator BAA said airfield staff were focusing on the airport's northern runway and hoped to open it at 1730 GMT. The southern runway is not likely to open until later this evening, it said. Airport operator BAA said airfield staff were focusing on the airport's northern runway, which is scheduled to reopen at 1845 GMT. The southern runway is not likely to open until later this evening, it said.
BA has cancelled all shorthaul flight from Heathrow for the rest of the day, and longhaul flights until at least 1900 GMT. All BMI flights to and from the airport have been cancelled for the rest of the day. BA has cancelled all shorthaul flights from Heathrow for the rest of the day, and longhaul flights until at least 1900 GMT. All BMI flights to and from the airport have been cancelled for the rest of the day.
Gatwick reopened at 1445 GMT after 10cm of snow was cleared from the runway but delays and cancellations are expected for the rest of the day.Gatwick reopened at 1445 GMT after 10cm of snow was cleared from the runway but delays and cancellations are expected for the rest of the day.
British Airways, Easyjet and Aer Lingus have cancelled all flights from the airport for the rest of Saturday, with the exception of the BA2055 to Sharm el Sheikh.British Airways, Easyjet and Aer Lingus have cancelled all flights from the airport for the rest of Saturday, with the exception of the BA2055 to Sharm el Sheikh.
Luton airport said it was closed to all flights until 1800 GMT, as is Birmingham airport. London Stansted's runway was also closed earlier, until at least 1700 GMT, BAA said. London Stansted's runway has now re-opened, as has Birmingham airport. Luton airport said it was closed to all flights until 1800 GMT.
There was also disruption at Exeter, London City, Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Southampton and Cardiff airports.There was also disruption at Exeter, London City, Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Southampton and Cardiff airports.
Scottish airports are open but are being affected by closures elsewhere. Glasgow is starting to receive London-bound flights.Scottish airports are open but are being affected by closures elsewhere. Glasgow is starting to receive London-bound flights.
In Wales two health boards are appealing for medical staff to help out over the weekend. Members of the public with 4x4 vehicles have been asked to drive health workers in after many were stuck at home.In Wales two health boards are appealing for medical staff to help out over the weekend. Members of the public with 4x4 vehicles have been asked to drive health workers in after many were stuck at home.
Several roads across the country remain closed and bus services were disrupted in the south.Several roads across the country remain closed and bus services were disrupted in the south.
What's the weather in your area?Source: BBC WeatherWhat's the weather in your area?Source: BBC Weather
In Northern Ireland freezing conditions continue to make travel difficult following some of the heaviest snowfall for 25 years - with more forecast.In Northern Ireland freezing conditions continue to make travel difficult following some of the heaviest snowfall for 25 years - with more forecast.
Both Belfast International Airport and Belfast City airports have reopened, although there are knock-on effects from other closures.Both Belfast International Airport and Belfast City airports have reopened, although there are knock-on effects from other closures.
Jon Caudwell, from the Highways Agency, said they were doing their best to keep major roads in England clear but needed help from motorists who should "really seriously consider" whether they needed to go out.Jon Caudwell, from the Highways Agency, said they were doing their best to keep major roads in England clear but needed help from motorists who should "really seriously consider" whether they needed to go out.
British Airways has urged passengers not to travel to the airport if their flight is cancelled.British Airways has urged passengers not to travel to the airport if their flight is cancelled.
The airline said it had cancelled flights from Heathrow due to runways closures and passengers having difficulties getting to the airport. So far 260 arrivals and 317 departures have been cancelled.The airline said it had cancelled flights from Heathrow due to runways closures and passengers having difficulties getting to the airport. So far 260 arrivals and 317 departures have been cancelled.
"We are extremely sorry that customers may be inconvenienced. Our staff are doing everything they can to help," said BA."We are extremely sorry that customers may be inconvenienced. Our staff are doing everything they can to help," said BA.
Stuart Coles, 40, spent five hours sitting on a Virgin plane that had landed at Heathrow but could not get to its stand as it had not been cleared of ice and snow.Stuart Coles, 40, spent five hours sitting on a Virgin plane that had landed at Heathrow but could not get to its stand as it had not been cleared of ice and snow.
"We had landed 20 minutes early. It took two attempts, which the captain said was because the plane in front of us had been skidding. Then we sat there for five hours. It was so frustrating to be so close but not be able to get off.""We had landed 20 minutes early. It took two attempts, which the captain said was because the plane in front of us had been skidding. Then we sat there for five hours. It was so frustrating to be so close but not be able to get off."
"There were a lot of Americans and Canadians on the plane who couldn't understand why so little snow had brought everything to a halt," he said."There were a lot of Americans and Canadians on the plane who couldn't understand why so little snow had brought everything to a halt," he said.
Having travelled all night from Haiti, via Miami, Mr Coles - who works for the charity Plan International - said he was "really looking forward to getting home and going to bed".Having travelled all night from Haiti, via Miami, Mr Coles - who works for the charity Plan International - said he was "really looking forward to getting home and going to bed".
Other problems caused by the weather include:Other problems caused by the weather include:
  • The M40, between junctions 4 and 5, is suffering delays of around four hours, with BBC Radio 5 live's Nigel Adderley describing it as as "car park with bumper-to-bumper traffic"
  • Many rail operator are seeing cancellations and delays. For rail information the Association of Train Operating Companies said passengers could call a new number, 08453 017 641
  • Many London Underground lines are delayed after signal point problems caused by the freezing conditions. Overground services are also affected, and Eurostar services are delayed by up to an hour.
  • The North West Ambulance Service warned of delays reaching emergency patients
  • Brent Cross shopping centre in London was forced to close, angering Christmas shoppers, many of whom had to leave their cars behind
  • Lincolnshire County Council said it had already used about 60% of its grit stocks despite starting the winter with 31,600 tonnes - 8,000 more than usual
  • A number of weekend sporting fixtures were cancelled affecting Premiership football matches on Saturday and Sunday, Championship and Scottish games, plus rugby union and horse racing
  • An urgent appeal is being made for blood donors, particularly those who are O negative, as stocks are running low
  • Companies have warned of a backlog of deliveries which may not reach customers before Christmas
  • In the rest of Europe some 2,500 passengers were stranded overnight at Frankfurt airport in Germany after flights were cancelled; Florence airport, in northern Italy, is closed and hundreds of cars stuck are on highways in Tuscany; in France, snow has affected road and train travel in the west and north and Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport is reporting delays; in the Netherlands, many flights have been cancelled at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport.
  • The M40, between junctions 4 and 5, is suffering delays of around four hours, with BBC Radio 5 live's Nigel Adderley describing it as as "car park with bumper-to-bumper traffic"
  • The M5 was the scene of a huge traffic jam on the northbound carriageway, near the junction with the M6, with nothing moving for 20 miles, said the BBC's Colette Hume.
  • Many rail operators are running reduced services, including Southeastern, South West Trains, Southern Railway and First Capital Connect. For rail information the Association of Train Operating Companies has provided a new passenger phone number - 08453 017 641
  • Many London Underground lines are delayed after signal point problems caused by the freezing conditions. Overground services are also affected, and Eurostar services are delayed by up to an hour.
  • The North West Ambulance Service warned of delays reaching emergency patients
  • Brent Cross shopping centre in London was forced to close, angering Christmas shoppers, many of whom had to leave their cars behind
  • Lincolnshire County Council said it had already used about 60% of its grit stocks despite starting the winter with 31,600 tonnes - 8,000 more than usual
  • A number of weekend sporting fixtures were cancelled affecting Premiership football matches on Saturday and Sunday, Championship and Scottish games, plus rugby union and horse racing
  • An urgent appeal is being made for blood donors, particularly those who are O negative, as stocks are running low
  • Companies have warned of a backlog of deliveries which may not reach customers before Christmas
  • In the rest of Europe some 2,500 passengers were stranded overnight at Frankfurt airport in Germany after flights were cancelled; Florence airport, in northern Italy, is closed and hundreds of cars stuck are on highways in Tuscany; in France, snow has affected road and train travel in the west and north and Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport is reporting delays; in the Netherlands, many flights have been cancelled at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport.
Met Office warnings for heavy snow are in place for most of northern and central Scotland, plus the south-west, Lothian and Borders area, as well as for all of Northern Ireland, south-west England, much of London and the south-east and the West Midlands. Met Office warnings for heavy snow are in place on Saturday evening for most of northern and central Scotland, plus the south-west, Lothian and Borders area, as well as for Northern Ireland, parts of south-west Wales, south-west England, and much of London and the South East.
And it issued severe "very heavy" snow warnings for Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Luton, Bracknell Forest, Buckinghamshire, Greater London, Slough, Surrey, Windsor and Maidenhead, and Wokingham - with up to 25cm forecast for some areas.And it issued severe "very heavy" snow warnings for Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Luton, Bracknell Forest, Buckinghamshire, Greater London, Slough, Surrey, Windsor and Maidenhead, and Wokingham - with up to 25cm forecast for some areas.
Warnings for Wales and north-west England are for widespread icy roads. Warnings for north-west and south-west England and the West Midlands are for widespread icy roads.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said major roads were prepared for the "extreme cold weather", which had been predicted, and public transport services were "by and large still working".Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said major roads were prepared for the "extreme cold weather", which had been predicted, and public transport services were "by and large still working".
But he added that when there is a rapid fall of snow "there is no way you can make it simply go away".But he added that when there is a rapid fall of snow "there is no way you can make it simply go away".
Last night temperatures in England, Wales and Northern Ireland averaged between minus 5C and minus 10C, whilst in Scotland they typically fell to between minus 15C and minus 20C.Last night temperatures in England, Wales and Northern Ireland averaged between minus 5C and minus 10C, whilst in Scotland they typically fell to between minus 15C and minus 20C.
Hundreds of drivers were stranded overnight on the M6 motorway in Greater Manchester. Similar conditions in Germany and Italy also saw drivers stuck on icy roads, as temperatures plummeted.Hundreds of drivers were stranded overnight on the M6 motorway in Greater Manchester. Similar conditions in Germany and Italy also saw drivers stuck on icy roads, as temperatures plummeted.
The enhanced content on this page requires Javascript and Flash Player 9The enhanced content on this page requires Javascript and Flash Player 9

Map Key

  • Land
  • Cloud
  • Lakes, Rivers & Sea

Fog

Light Heavy

Frost

Light Heavy

Pressure Fronts

Cold Warm Occluded

Rain

Light Heavy Extreme

Snow

Light Heavy

Map Key

  • Land
  • Cloud
  • Lakes, Rivers & Sea

Fog

Light Heavy

Frost

Light Heavy

Pressure Fronts

Cold Warm Occluded

Rain

Light Heavy Extreme

Snow

Light Heavy
Temperature tab onlyTemperature tab only

Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather

Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather
Have you been affected by the heavy snow and ice or have your travel plans been disrupted? You can send us your experiences using the form below:Have you been affected by the heavy snow and ice or have your travel plans been disrupted? You can send us your experiences using the form below:
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions